Automatic thawing and condensation return device for automobile radiators



Nov. 28, 1939. FAGAN I 2.181598 AUTOMATIC THAWING AND CONDENSATION RETURN DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE RADIATORS Filed March 22, 1939 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Nov. 28, 1939. L"J FAGAN- 2,181,598

AUTOMATIC THAWING AND CONDENSATION RETURN DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE RADIATORS N Fil ed March 22, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a I o 'IIIIIIII I VIIIIII IIIIIIJ I VIIIIIII VIIIII'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I erztor.

Patented Nov. 28, 1939 PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC THAWING AND C'ONDENSA- TION RETURN DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE RADIATORS Louis Fagan, Ashville, N. Y.

Application March 22, 1939, Serial No. 263,431

3 Claims. (Cl. 123-1785) This invention proposes to perform two useful functions: 1-To utilize the steam generated in the radiator to automatically thaw same under the condition whereby freezing of the fluid in the 5 core interrupts circulation therein. 2To condense those vapors ordinarily lost through evaporation and overheating during normal operation and return same to circulating system during subsequent motor inaction.

This invention is comprised of a narrow compartment or tank, situated in the body of the core and being adjacent to the thin streams which circulate the cooling fluid from top header tank to bottom header tank. From the flller neck of the top header tank, the overflow tube is con nected into this compartment, extending to within a fraction of an inch of the bottom thereof. Also near the top of this compartment, a small opening is provided to allow the escape of unusual o pressure. This principle of construction may be applied to any type radiator,yet from a standpoint of simplicity and cheapness of manufacture, it is most peculiarly adapted to the cellular core type as shown in the drawings.

The following letters relate to the same parts in each figure of the drawings:

A. Thin streams of cooling fluid extending from top header tank to bottom header'tank through conveyors fashioned from thin metal strips.

These will be referred to hereinafter as water lines.

B. Separator space in which copper strips are used to transfer heat from water lines to air currents.

BB. Separator strips.

0. One separator space in which separator strips are omitted and each side sealed up entire length of core with brass or other metal strips, forming a long narrow compartment. This compartment may be as wide as deemed necessary.

CC. Brass strips used to seal compartment C.

D. Opening for overflow tube connection.

E. Opening for pressure relief.

45 F. Overflow tubing which extends to within a fraction of an inch of the bottom of compartment C. t

G. Top header tank.

H. Bottom header tank.

60 I. Filler neck.

It is a well known fact that an alcohol solution that is too weak, will freeze into a soggy mass and in the thin water lines of the core, will stop circulation. This in itself causes no damage; it

55 is the subsequent steaming that wastes away the n. anti-freeze solution and the overheating that loosens the soldered joints in the core causing leaks thereafter. The operation of my invention under this condition is as follows: As soon as vapor begins .to form in the top header tank, it is forced through tube F into chamber C entering at the bottom therein. Freezing usually takes place at the bottom of the core, so that the first vapor generated strikes the frozen part of the core first. As more pressure is generated, the 10 vapor, pushing the air ahead of it, rises in chamber C, thawing the two water lines on each side as it rises, so that when it reaches the opening E, circulation is restored to these two water lines and rapidly spreads throughout the core. Thus, 15 stoppage of the circulation in the radiator through freezing is overcome with very little loss of the liquid therein. This device does not impinge the steam, onto the core through jets of any kind, so does not require the liquid to come go proper is forced through tube F, into compart- 30 ment C. This vapor condensing meanwhile in the tube F, falls into compartment C as liquid condensation. As compartment C is of long and narrow construction, this liquid quickly forms a seal through which subsequent vapor must pass, 35 greatly increasing the rate of condensation there by. This condensation may rise as high as opening E before overflowing, a matter of 18 inches or more. As the condensation rises in chamber C, it builds up a small static head pressure which raises the boiling point of the liquid in the radiator, thus tending to retard the formation of vapor thereafter. When the motor is stopped and the radiator cools, a partial vacuum is formed in the top header tank due to the condensing of the vapors therein, which draws the condensation in chamber C back into the circulating system. This operation tends to conserve the liquid in the radiator, resulting in economy and making unnecessary the frequent replenishings to same.

Figure 1 of the drawings shows a radiator of the cellular core type wherein it is shown how the separator strips may be omitted from one separator space and this space sealed up so that a chamber is formed extending from bottom header tank to top header tank and from front to back of core, being connected to top header tank by overflow tube F. This tube may be looped or coiled as much as necessary to provide greater condensing action. Compartment C may be made as wide as deemed necessaryto provide adequate storage space for condensation.

Figures 2 and 3 are details of chamber C, clearly showing the adjacency of said chamber to the water lines A; the locations of openings E and D and the manner of extending tube F in said compartment C.

Figure 4 is a top view of chamber C, indicating how this chamber extends from front to back of core.

Figure 5 shows the proposed strip CC which will be used to seal the space E forming chainber C. These strips may be attached with the edges turned either inward or outward.

I claim:

1. In a radiator which cools an internal combustion engine through circulation of thin streams of fluid from one header tank to another; a narrow compartment extending from one tank to the other and from front to back of core, being adjacent and parallel to said thin streams or water lines; an overflow tube which connects from filler neck of radiator to said compartment;

narrow compartment near top of same and extending to within fraction of inch of bottom thereof; an opening in said narrow compartment near toplfor pressure relief.

3. In a cellular core type of radiator which cools an internal combustion engine through ciroulation of thin streams of fluid vertically arranged, a narrow compartment extending from front to back of core and from bottom header tank to top header tank, parallel and adjacent to said thin streams, or Water lines; being situated in that space ordinarily occupied by the copper separator strips; an overflow tube which connects from filler neck of radiator into said compartment entering said compartment near top of, same and extending to within a fraction of an inch of the bottom thereof; an opening in said compartment near top for pressure relief.

LOUIS J. FAGAN. 

